Choosing your Raymarine Autopilot Control Head

21 July 2022

Choosing your Raymarine Autopilot Control Head

The final step to building a Raymarine Autopilot system is selecting an autopilot control head. Here the decision is a matter of personal choice since each fixed-mount Raymarine Control Head will offer the same level of autopilot performance. Adding additional control heads is easy thanks to Raymarine's SeaTalk networking. 

p70s and p70Rs Autopilot Control Heads 

The p70s and p70Rs feature vibrant color displays and are powered by Raymarine’s intuitive LightHouse user interface. LightHouse organizes all options into simple menu structures, so you will be up and running in minutes. 

Raymarine’s autopilot control heads are available in two control styles. The p70 is a push-button operation controller designed primarily for sailboats. Course adjustments are made with single or multiple presses of the +/- 1° or +/-10° keys. Pressing both directional keys simultaneously activates a 90° turn in that direction, or when steering to wind angle, initiates AutoTack mode. 

The p70R uses a combination of buttons and a rotary control dial and is popular with power boat captains. Course changes are made by simply rotating the knob in the desired direction. The p70R also offers a convenient Power Steer mode that enables you to use its rotary knob as a miniature helm. This feature is great for larger vessels with wing or aft manoeuvring stations, and enables manual control of the boat’s rudders without the added expense and complexity of adding more hydraulic helm units.